Ebere Nwoji
Leadway Group has called on Nigerians to move beyond the pursuit of wealth accumulation and embracing estate planning and structured wealth transfer to safeguard families, businesses and future generations.
The call was made by one of the senior staff of the company Adedoyin Aiyeola, during a paper presentation titled “Moving Beyond Wealth Accumulation to Wealth Transfer” at a one-day training workshop organised by Leadway Group for insurance and pension journalists in Lagos recently.
Aiyeola said while many individuals focus on creating wealth through investments and business growth, only a few adequately prepare for the transfer of their assets, exposing families and businesses to avoidable disputes, financial losses and operational disruptions after the death or incapacity of a founder.
According to her, wealth creation alone does not guarantee a lasting legacy, stressing that effective wealth management consists of three stages—creating wealth, protecting it and transferring it.
“Most people master the first journey. Few prepare for the third. The most enduring legacies are built by completing all three,” he said.
She noted that rising personal wealth, expanding family businesses, global investments and increasing digital assets have made estate planning more important than ever.
Aiyeola cited the sudden death of former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, as a reminder that succession planning cannot be postponed and that organisations must always prepare for unexpected events.
She also referenced the succession disputes that followed the death of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, saying such cases underscore the importance of clear governance structures in reducing family disagreements and prolonged litigation.